Infrared imaging projection

ABSTRACT

The subject matter disclosed herein involves systems, methods, apparatuses or devices related to infrared imaging or infrared imaging projection.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to infrared imagingprojection.

2. Information

Solid state imaging devices, such as digital cameras and camcorders,comprising solid state imaging sensors provide the user with imagerecording capability that can be used in many ways. Users may nowcapture images with a quality approaching that of photographic film onrelatively affordable devices. The proliferation of portable deviceswith solid state imaging sensors is extensive. Solid state imagingsensors are found in dedicated digital cameras and camcorders, as wellas integrated into other devices such as mobile phones, handheldcomputers, personal digital assistants and/or the like.

It is becoming commonplace that at least one solid state imaging deviceis available to or is carried by each person that attends a venue, suchas an entertainment complex, theme park, zoo, and museum. Theproliferation of solid state imaging devices has impacted revenuegenerating services normally provided by the venue. For example, amuseum may offer for sale photographs of artwork in the form ofphoto-books and postcards, but a visitor may be able to obtain highquality digital images of the same artwork using a solid state imagingdevice.

Another noteworthy example is the candid photo service offered at thepoint of exit of an attraction, especially such as those found at atheme park. It has become commonplace for theme parks to offer keepsakephotos of the visitor experiencing, for example, a moment of highexcitement on a thrill ride attraction. Upon exiting of the attraction,the visitor may be presented with a high definition display monitordisplaying the candid image and an offer for sale of a photo of thatimage. It is becoming commonplace that instead of the visitor purchasingthe candid photo, the visitor is simply capturing the image off of thedisplay monitor using their solid state imaging device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments will be described withreference to the following figures, wherein like reference numeralsrefer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwisespecified.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system comprising an infrared projectioninstallation configured to obscure an image on a display monitor asviewed and/or recorded by a solid state imaging device according to anembodiment;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate various images by way of example in accordancewith embodiments;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a display device in accordancewith a particular implementation;

FIG. 4 illustrates a system configured to obscure an image of an objectas viewed and/or recorded by a solid state imaging device according toan embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a system comprising an infrared image projectioninstallation configured to provide an enhanced experience to visitorsaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a gaming environment in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a display monitor comprising aback light visible spectrum illumination source, an infrared spectrumillumination source, a diffuser, and a display screen according to anembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a display monitor comprising aback light visible spectrum illumination source, a plurality of infraredspectrum illumination sources, a diffuser, and a display screenaccording to an embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of an embodiment of LED display comprising apanel and a plurality of light emitting diodes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Countermeasures are needed to prevent the capturing of an image from adisplay monitor using an imaging device to obtain quality images of highvalue content.

It is also desired to take advantage of the proliferation of imagingdevices to offer a visitor to an entertainment venue an enhancedentertainment experience using such devices.

References are made herein to “infrared image projection installations”.Such an infrared image projection installation may comprise any suitableapparatus for projecting infrared light. For example, an opticalprojector may have a light engine comprising an infrared light emittingsource capable of illumination in the infrared spectrum. One suchinfrared light emitting source may comprise light emitting diodes thatilluminate in the infrared spectrum at about 780 nm to about 1200 nmwhich is outside of the normally visible spectrum and therefore unseenby the unaided eye. An optical projector so equipped may be used formany purposes, such as, but not limited to, to flood an area withinfrared light, and to project an image in the infrared spectrum onto asubstance.

References are made herein to “solid state imaging devices”. In thiscontext, a solid state imaging device is one having a solid stateimaging sensor capable of imaging at least a portion of the infraredspectrum. Solid state imaging devices include, such as, but not limitedto, digital cameras, digital camcorders, and integrated devices having asolid state imaging sensor, such as mobile phones, portable gameconsoles, notebook computers, personal digital assistants and/or thelike. The solid state imaging sensors may comprise any one of severalsolid state devices capable of capturing image information, such as, forexample, charged-coupled devices (CCDs) and complementary metal-oxidesemiconductor (CMOS) devices.

In particular embodiments illustrated herein, infrared illumination maybe used to obscure an image displayed on a display monitor as viewedand/or recorded by a solid state imaging device. In a particularembodiment, the quality of an image on a display monitor captured usinga solid state imaging device may be degraded so as to discouragecapturing the image on a display monitor. According to anotherembodiment, the image on a display monitor as viewed and/or recorded bya solid state imaging device may be annotated with a message. In theseembodiments, the visible aspects of the image on a display monitor arenot significantly modified to the unaided eye.

In a particular embodiment, a visitor presents a solid state imagingdevice having the capability of imaging at least a portion of theinfrared spectrum. For instance, such visitor may carry, wear orotherwise be co-located with a solid state imaging device such as, forexample, a digital camera, digital camcorder, and integrated deviceshaving a solid state imaging sensor, such as a mobile phone, notebookcomputer, personal digital assistant, and/or the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates system 10 comprising infrared projection installation122 configured to obscure an image on display monitor 112 as viewedand/or recorded by solid state imaging device 100 according to anembodiment. In the particular implementation of FIG. 1, visitorsassociated with solid state imaging devices 100 may receive an infraredimage, invisible with the unaided eye, reflecting from display screen112 being illuminated by infrared image projection installation 120.Infrared image projection installation 120 may be installed adjacentdisplay monitor 110 so as to illuminate display screen 112 of displaymonitor 110 with infrared illumination 124. According to an embodiment,infrared illumination 124 reflected from display screen 112 may besufficient to at least partially obscure the visible portion of theresulting image as received by solid state imaging device 100 sufficientto render the image undesirable.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate various images by way of example. FIG. 2Aillustrates visible image 130 as presented in the visible spectrum.According to an embodiment, infrared illumination 124 reflected fromdisplay screen 112 comprises message 135 superimposed onto visible image130 displayed on display screen 112. Here, such a superimposed messagemay spoil the resulting image received by solid state imaging device 100sufficient to render the visible image 130 undesirable, as shown in FIG.2B. Such a message 135 may state, for example, but is not limited to,“copy protected”.

In a particular implementation of FIG. 1, solid state imaging device 100may receive infrared illumination 124, invisible with the unaided eye,reflecting from display screen 112 of display monitor 110 beingilluminated by infrared projection installation 122. Infrared projectioninstallation 122 may be installed adjacent display monitor 110 so as toilluminate display screen 112. According to an embodiment, infraredprojection installation 122 may illuminate display screen 112 insufficient infrared illumination 124 so as to oversaturate pixels ofsolid state imaging device 100 with infrared energy resulting in anover-exposed, or washed-out image 134, obscuring the visible image 130sufficient to render the image as received by solid state imaging device100 undesirable, as illustrated in FIG. 2C. It is noted, in passing,that while this particular embodiment is illustrated as an imagingsystem, other embodiments may comprise video systems employing infraredprojections. Therefore, in the context of this patent application, theterm imaging is intended to include video systems and the like.

In a particular implementation, display monitor 110 may be modified soas to improve the infrared reflectivity of display screen 112. FIG. 3 isa partially exploded perspective view of display device 110 includingoverlay 114, in accordance with a particular implementation. Inaccordance with an embodiment, overlay 114 comprises material havingproperties that may be reflective of infrared radiation. Overlay 114 maybe placed on at least a portion of display screen 112, eitherpermanently or removably coupled thereto. Here, overlay 114 may besufficiently transparent to the visible spectrum so as not tosubstantially degrade the visible image that may be shown on displayscreen 112 as viewed by the unaided eye.

In accordance with an embodiment, overlay 114 may be placed over aparticular portion of the display that may show a visible image that maybe visible to the unaided eye so as to obscure the visible image ifviewed by an imaging device. In accordance with another embodiment,overlay 114 may be placed on the display screen 112 but adjacent to thevisible image so as not to necessarily obscure the visible image but, byway of example, not limited thereto, to provide a message.

In accordance with an embodiment, overlay 114 comprises a sheet materialincluding indium tin oxide (ITO). Indium tin oxide is substantiallyoptically transparent to the visible spectrum, substantially reflectivein the infrared spectrum, and colorless in thin layers. Thin films ofITO may be deposited on surfaces by electron beam evaporation, physicalvapor deposition, and/or sputter deposition techniques, among others.ITO is known to be used to make transparent conductive coatings forliquid crystal displays, flat panel displays, plasma displays, touchpanels, electronic ink applications, organic light-emitting diodes,among others.

It is appreciated that the ITO film may be applied to the inside surfaceof display screen 112, the outside surface of display screen 112, or apart of display screen 112 suitable for the purpose previouslydescribed.

In particular embodiments illustrated herein, infrared illumination maybe used to spoil an image of an object as viewed and/or recorded by asolid state imaging device. In a particular embodiment, the quality ofan image of an object captured using a solid state imaging device may bedegraded so as to discourage photographing the object with such animaging device. According to another embodiment, the image of an objectas viewed and/or recorded by a solid state imaging device may beannotated with a message. In these embodiments, the visible aspects ofthe object are not modified to the unaided eye.

FIG. 4 illustrates system 20 configured to obscure an image of object140 as viewed and/or recorded by solid state imaging device 100according to an embodiment. In the particular implementation of FIG. 4,solid state imaging device 100 may receive infrared illumination 124,invisible with the unaided eye, reflecting from object 140 beingilluminated by infrared image projection installation 120. Infraredimage projection installation 120 may be installed adjacent object 140to be illuminated so as illuminate surface 142 of object 140 visible tosolid state imaging device 100. According to an embodiment, infraredillumination 124 reflected from object 140 may be sufficient to obscurethe visible image as received by solid state imaging device 100sufficient to render the received image undesirable. According toanother embodiment, infrared illumination 124 reflected from object 140may be a textural or symbolic message that spoils the image received bysolid state imaging device 100 sufficient to render the imageundesirable. According to an embodiment, the image as received by thesolid state imaging device 100 may include an infrared portioncomprising a message to appear superimposed onto object 140. Such amessage may state, for example, but is not limited to, “copy protectedartwork” or “copy protected.”

In particular embodiments illustrated herein, visitors carry solid stateimaging devices having the capability of imaging at least a portion ofthe infrared spectrum. For instance, such participants may carry, wearor otherwise be co-located with one or more solid state imaging devicessuch as, for example, digital cameras, digital camcorders, andintegrated devices having a solid state imaging sensor, such as mobilephones, portable game consoles, devices embedded in garments, notebookcomputers, personal digital assistants and/or the like. However, inanother potential embodiment, an imaging or other device may be adaptedto at least partially block infrared light in those instances in whichinfrared light is to at least partially illuminate an object, such as ifthe object is illuminated with infrared light immediately before theimaging device is about to capture an image of said object. For example,an imaging device may include an infrared light sensor. If, in such anembodiment, infrared light is detected, the imaging device may, forexample, include a mechanism for blocking or otherwise filtering out theinfrared light that illuminates the object.

FIG. 5 illustrates system 30 comprising infrared image projectioninstallation 120 configured to provide an enhanced experience tovisitors according to an embodiment. In the particular implementation ofFIG. 5, visitors associated with solid state imaging device 100 mayreceive infrared images 130, invisible with the unaided eye, at one ormore infrared image projection installations 120. Infrared imageprojection installations 120 may be installed at visual contentinstallation 150. According to an embodiment, visual contentinstallation 150 comprises performance stage 152 and infrared imageprojection installation 120 may be operable to coordinate the projectionof infrared images 130 onto an element of performance stage 152 so as toenhance the visual aspects of performance stage 152 as imaged by solidstate imaging device 100. According to an embodiment, a visitor may viewinfrared image 130 superimposed onto visual content installation 150using the solid state imaging device 100.

In a particular example provided for the purpose of illustration,infrared image projection installation 120 may be positioned adjacentvisual content installation 150 that provides visual content 154 tothose without solid state imaging device 100. Infrared image projectioninstallation 120 projects infrared image 130 onto at least a portion ofvisual content installation 150 to provide additional visual content tothe visitor viewing visual content installation 150 with solid stateimaging device 100. For example, in visual content installation 150representing a haunted house (e.g., as in a theme park attraction),infrared image projection installation 120 may project infrared image130 representing a ghost onto the haunted house such that the visitormay view the ghost using solid state imaging device 100. Infrared image130 may comprise a moving image of a ghost, a still image of textmessage or symbol, among other things, and/or combinations thereof.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of gaming environment 160 in accordance with anembodiment. In particular embodiments illustrated herein, participantsin an interactive game may carry solid state imaging devices 100 havingthe capability of capturing images in at least a portion of the infraredspectrum. For instance, such participants may carry, wear or otherwisebe co-located with one or more solid state imaging devices such as, forexample, digital cameras, digital camcorders, and integrated deviceshaving a solid state imaging sensor, such as mobile phones, portablegame consoles, devices embedded in garments, notebook computers,personal digital assistants and/or the like.

In particular embodiments illustrated herein, participants in aninteractive game may physically move about in gaming environment 160 tosearch for clues. For instance, such participants may visualize infraredimages 130 using solid state imaging devices 100.

A game participant may participate in a game having an object of thegame being, for example, completing tasks and/or performing actions ingaming environment 160. Such a participant may, for example, in anembodiment, participate in a game objective by locating a predefinednumber of a plurality of infrared images 130, with the challenge offinding the most infrared images 130 in a predetermined period of time.

According to an embodiment, gaming environment 160 may provide aninteractive gaming experience to one or more “game participants” (“gameparticipant” is to be used interchangeably herein with “participant”).In one particular embodiment a game participant may compete with anotherparticipant in finding the most infrared images 130 in a predeterminedperiod of time, and/or to get to a destination the quickest based onfinding clues in the infrared images 130, for example, among others.

Referring again to FIG. 6, gaming environment 160 comprises one or moreinfrared image projection installations 120 configured to provide agaming experience to participants according to an embodiment. In theparticular implementation of FIG. 6, game participants associated withsolid state imaging devices 100 participate in a gaming experience atone or more infrared image projection installations 120. Infrared imageprojection installations 120 may be dispersed over a geographical areasuch as that of a theme or amusement park. In other embodiments infraredimage projection installations may be dispersed over a geographical areasuch as a neighborhood, school or business campus, convention center,theatre complex, town, metropolitan area, political subdivision such asa city, state or nation, just to name a few examples.

According to an embodiment, a game participant may travel to differentinfrared image projection installations 120 while carrying solid stateimaging device 100 to visualize an infrared image 130 and participate ina gaming experience having an objective, at least in part, on finding aplurality of infrared images 130, “invisible” to the unassisted eye,viewable with the assistance of the participant's solid state imagingdevice 100. According to another embodiment, the participant recordseach infrared image 130 onto the solid state imaging device 100 so as toverify at a later time that indeed the infrared image 130 was seen.

According to an embodiment, a gaming experience includes finding aplurality of infrared images 130, such as, but not limited to, in theform of text, still image, moving image, symbol and the like, includingcombinations thereof. According to another embodiment, a gamingexperience further includes solving a puzzle which may be solvable bycorrectly answering or solving a series of riddles or problems based onthe found images. According to another embodiment, gaming experienceincludes locating a plurality of infrared images 130 in a predeterminedsequence to provide directions to a destination.

Infrared image projection installations 120 may exist at a fixedlocation in game environment 160, or may be mobile such that itsposition changes during game play. Infrared image projectioninstallation 120 may be manned or unmanned. In an embodiment, infraredimage projection installation 120 may be integrated with a charactercostume. In an embodiment, infrared image projection installation 120may be integrated with a themed structure. In an embodiment, infraredimage projection installation 120 may be integrated with a water feature158, such as a mist generator or pond such that infrared image 130appears to be floating in mid-air or on or underwater, respectively. Itis appreciated that the infrared image 130 may reflect from a variety ofinfrared reflective media, such as, but not limited to, mist, smoke,water, screen, netting, wall, flat substrate, non-flat substrate, andfilm.

In a particular example provided for the purpose of illustration,infrared image projection installation 120 may be positioned adjacent avisual content installation 150 that provides visual content to thosenot viewing the visual content installation 150 with the assistance ofsolid state imaging device 100. infrared image projection installation120 may project infrared image 130 onto at least a portion of visualcontent installation 150 to provide additional visual content to theparticipant viewing visual content installation 150 with solid stateimaging device 100. For example, where visual content installation 150represents graveyard 151 comprising a plurality of tombstones 153,infrared image projection installation 120 may project infrared image130 of a ghost onto tombstone 153 such that the participant may view theghost using solid state imaging device 100. Infrared image 130 maycomprise a moving image of a ghost, a still image of text message orsymbol or graphic, among other things, and/or combinations thereof.

According to an embodiment, the number of infrared images 130 viewed andrecorded on solid state imaging device 100 may be evaluated by anattendant to provide a reward for finding a predetermined number ofinfrared images 130. The reward may be any desirable benefit, such as,but not limited to, a prize. According to another embodiment, the valueof the reward is dependent on meeting one of a plurality of objects ofthe game.

In particular embodiments illustrated herein, infrared illumination maybe used to obscure an image displayed on a display monitor as viewedand/or recorded by a solid state imaging device. In a particularembodiment, the quality of an image on a display monitor captured usinga solid state imaging device may be degraded so as to discouragephotographing the image on a display monitor. According to anotherembodiment, the image on a display monitor as viewed and/or recorded bya solid state imaging device may be annotated with a message. In theseembodiments, the visible aspects of the image on a display monitor arenot modified to the unaided eye.

In a particular embodiment, a visitor or participant presents a solidstate imaging device having the capability of imaging at least a portionof the infrared spectrum. For instance, such visitor or participant maycarry, wear or otherwise be co-located with a solid state imaging devicesuch as, for example, a digital camera, digital camcorder, andintegrated devices having a solid state imaging sensor, such as a mobilephone, notebook computer, personal digital assistant, and/or the like.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of display monitor 174 comprisinga back light visible spectrum illumination source 170, infrared spectrumillumination source 172, diffuser 176, and display screen 112,configured to obscure an image on display monitor 174 as viewed and/orrecorded by a solid state imaging device 100 according to an embodiment.In the particular implementation of FIG. 7, a solid state imaging devicemay receive infrared images, invisible with the unaided eye, emanatingfrom display screen 112.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of display monitor 175 comprisinga back light visible spectrum illumination source 170, a plurality ofinfrared spectrum illumination sources 172, diffuser 176, and displayscreen 112, configured to obscure an image on display monitor 175 asviewed and/or recorded by a solid state imaging device according to anembodiment. The plurality of discrete infrared illumination sources 172are located behind display screen 112 and operable so as to projectinfrared illumination through display screen 112 that may be imaged by asolid state imaging device. Discrete infrared illumination sources 172may be uniformly arranged relative to the display screen 112 so as tooversaturate the pixels of a solid state imaging device with infraredenergy; that is, to over expose the resulting image sufficient to renderthe image as received by a solid state imaging device undesirable.According to another embodiment, discrete infrared illumination sources174 may be preferentially arranged so as to form a text message, adistorting pattern, a symbol, and/or other resulting image sufficient torender the image as received by a solid state imaging deviceundesirable.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an embodiment of LED display 975 comprising apanel 904 and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) 902. IndividualLEDs 902 may be coupled to panel 904 in a predetermined arrangement. Byway of example, pixel 910 comprises a predetermined number of LEDs 902.Pixel 910 may include any combination of red, green, or blue coloredLEDs 902. In an embodiment, pixel 910 further comprises infrared (IR)LED 903. IR LED 903 is an LED operable to emit infrared radiation. In animplementation of LED display 975, a predetermined number of IR LEDs 903may be arranged in a predetermined arrangement suitable for a particularpurpose.

By way of example and explanation, LED display 975 may comprise LEDs 902arranged on panel 904 having a 30 mm pitch with a 4-red/3-green/3-blueLEDs 902 per pixel 910. This provides over 130,000 pixels 910 from atotal of more than 650,000 LEDs 902. LED display 975 may provide afull-color, video capability. LED display 975 may comprise a range ofsizes and formats suitable for, but not limited to, indoor shoppingmalls, off-road billboard displays, or bus shelters. In otherembodiments, LED display 975 may be provided as network-capable,multi-sign configurations.

In an implementation of LED display 975, a plurality of IR LEDs 903 maybe arranged so as to provide image copy protection. In a particularimplementation, IR LEDs 903 may be uniformly arranged on panel 904 so asto distort or obscure the resulting image produced by LEDs 902sufficient to render the image undesirable as received by a solid stateimaging device. According to another implementation, IR LEDs 903 may bepreferentially arranged so as to form a text message, a distortingpattern, a symbol, or other resulting image as received by a solid stateimaging device. The text message, distorting pattern, symbol, or otherresulting image may render the image undesirable as received by solidstate imaging device.

According to yet another implementation, IR LEDs 903 may bepreferentially arranged so as to form a text message, a symbol, or otherresulting image that may be enjoyed when viewed by a solid state imagingdevice.

In accordance with an embodiment, LED display 975 further comprises anIR light diffuser 912. IR light diffuser 912 may be operable to diffuseinfrared light so as to soften or blur together the IR light fromindividual IR LEDs 903 as viewed from a side of IR light diffuser 912opposite from IR LEDs 903. IR light diffuser 912 may be placed in closeproximity to IR LEDs 903 so as to blend the points of IR light togetherto make a fuzzy infrared image, particularly suitable, for example, forimages of ghosts. By way of an example of an implementation, LED display975 may be placed in a window of a building such as a haunted mansion ina theme park so as to present an image of a ghost as received by a solidstate imaging device.

In yet another implementation, IR light diffuser 912 may also beoperable for use as a projection screen so as to provide, by way ofexample, a projected scene as viewed with the unaided eye that isaugmented with an IR image as received by a solid state imaging device.

While there has been illustrated and described what are presentlyconsidered to be example embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, andequivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimed subjectmatter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter withoutdeparting from the central concept described herein. Therefore, it isintended that claimed subject matter not be limited to the particularembodiments disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter may alsoinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims,and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: illuminating a display,which emits a non-infrared image through an overlay, with infraredradiation to at least partially obscure the non-infrared image otherwiseviewable by an imaging device, the overlay being placed over at least aportion of the display, the overlay being at least partially transparentto the visible light spectrum, the overlay being at least partiallyreflective to the infrared light spectrum.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said display comprises a display screen; and further comprising,prior to said illuminating said display, placing said overlay over atleast a portion of said display screen.
 3. An apparatus, comprising: anoverlay at least partially transparent to invisible light and at leastpartially reflective of infrared radiation; wherein said overlaycomprises a structure for being placed over at least a portion of adisplay screen.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least a portionof said overlay comprises a layer of indium tin oxide.
 5. A devicecomprising: first emitters and second emitters, said first emittersoperable to emit non-infrared electromagnetic radiation from a displaythrough an overlay, said second emitters operable to emit infraredelectromagnetic radiation, the overlay being placed over at least aportion of the display, the overlay being at least partially transparentto the visible light spectrum, the overlay being at least partiallyreflective to the infrared light spectrum; said second emitters being inan arrangement so as to alter, during operation of said second emitters,the appearance of an image formed by operation of said first emitters,if said emitters are viewed during operation by an imaging devicecapable of sensing infrared and non-infrared radiation.
 6. The device ofclaim 5, wherein said second emitters are arranged in a pattern toobscure said image if said emitters are viewed during operation by saidimaging device.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein said non-infraredelectromagnetic radiation comprises visible light.
 8. The device ofclaim 5, wherein said emitters comprise light emitting diodes.
 9. Adisplay comprising: a display screen; an overlay placed over at least aportion of the display screen, the overlay being at least partiallytransparent to the visible light spectrum, the overlay being at leastpartially reflective to the infrared light spectrum; a non-infraredlight source operable to illuminate an image on said display screen fromthe display screen through the overlay; and an infrared light sourceoperable to alter the appearance of said image to an imaging device byilluminating said image on said display screen with infrared light. 10.The display of claim 9, wherein said infrared light source is operableto illuminate said display screen with sufficient infrared light so asto obscure said image to said imaging device.
 11. The display of claim9, wherein said infrared light source comprises a plurality of infraredlight sources particularly arranged so as to be viewed in conjunctionwith said image via said imaging device.
 12. The display of claim 9,wherein said non-infrared light comprises visible light.
 13. A method ofproducing an image not visible to the unaided human eye, comprising:illuminating a fluid medium with an infrared image projection to atleast partially obscure the fluid medium, said fluid medium otherwiseviewable by an imaging device through an overlay, the overlay being atleast partially transparent to the visible light spectrum, the overlaybeing at least partially reflective to the infrared light spectrum. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein said illuminating a fluid mediumcomprises: illuminating a vapor cloud.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein said illuminating a fluid medium comprises: illuminating a smokecloud.
 16. A method comprising: projecting an infrared image so that animaging device captures the projection of said infrared image and atleast partially blocks non-infrared light received through an overlay ofa display screen in those instances in which infrared light at leastpartially illuminates an object immediately before the imaging device isabout to capture the image of said object, the overlay being at leastpartially transparent to the visible light spectrum, the overlay beingat least partially reflective to the infrared light spectrum.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, and further comprising: tracking those instances inwhich an imaging device captures the projection of said infrared image.18. An apparatus comprising: an imaging device; said imaging devicebeing adapted to at least partially block non-infrared light receivedthrough an overlay of a display screen in those instances in whichinfrared light at least partially illuminates an object immediatelybefore said imaging device is about to capture an image of said object,the overlay being at least partially transparent to the visible lightspectrum, the overlay being at least partially reflective to theinfrared light spectrum.